The world of video games has been very turbulent for some time. A lot of news is falling, but it is especially on the side of the big names in the industry that the agitation is felt. On January 18, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard and King for $70 billion. It is the largest transaction in video game history so far. But as the focus shifts to Microsoft, one wonders where does Sony fit in all of this?
The Japanese company had announced that 2022 would be full of novelties: an equivalent potential of the Game Pass (which is still not official), the PlayStation VR2, the release of Horizon: Forbidden West and many others. Despite everything, the new acquisition of its longtime competitor threatens its business. While the latter is slightly ahead of its rival in terms of sales of consoles and games, its title of number 1 could well be called into question within the next few years.
What future for PlayStation gamers?
Microsoft now owning the licenses for major games like Call of Duty, Diablo or Overwatch, the question arises: will they still be available on PlayStation? What Phil Spencer, Xbox executive replied: “I will just say to gamers playing Activision Blizzard games on Sony platforms that it is not our intention to drive communities away from this platform and we are committed to that.”.
According to the words of the Xbox manager, Sony players will therefore be able to take full advantage of the new games licensed by Activision Blizzard. A strategy the opposite of that around the previous takeover of Microsoft, since Bethesda games will be Xbox exclusives for the most part.
The gap is widening between Sony and Microsoft
After the announcement of the acquisition of Activision Blizzard and King, Sony’s stock shares fell 12.8%. A first for the Japanese company. Investors are realizing that Microsoft is, through its monumental takeovers, growing at considerable speed. More focused on the production of games and consoles, Sony is gradually being overtaken and risks losing its position as the most profitable company in the video game industry.
DFC Intelligence, a company that makes predictions about the evolution of the video game environment, said in one of its research:
“Long term, this shows that Microsoft is operating on an entirely different level than Sony and Nintendo. Sony and Nintendo have a strong presence in the games business, but these two small Japanese companies are struggling to play in the space. higher strategic position the industry is moving towards. It’s more about Microsoft competing with Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and others. This acquisition would immediately put Microsoft in a strong strategic position.”
Despite all this, Sony remains at present the leading seller of games and consoles in the video game industry. In addition to the many projects to come this year, the company will certainly unveil many more. In February, the Japanese group will present its quarterly results as well as its future ambitions. To see if the new acquisition of its competitor will have a real impact on Sony’s vision.
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Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has spoken out about rumors of a potential Game Pass-like project being carried out by long-time rivals Sony and PlayStation.